Generalized Reciprocity and the Internet
Posted: March 10th, 2009 | Filed under: Generalized Reciprocity | |
Welcome to GeneralizedReciprocity.com.
This blog takes a look at the broad concept of “Generalized Reciprocity” in the era of Virtual Communities, Virtual Real Estate, Digital Property and Information Economies.
Generalized Reciprocity Defined
Generalized Reciprocity can be thought of as…
“informal gift giving for which no accounts are kept and no immediate or specific return is expected”
OR
“When a BENEFACTOR extends something of value to a RECIPIENT without expecting anything specific back from the RECIPIENT, in the confident expectation that someone else will do something for the BENEFACTOR in the future”
Generalized Reciprocity and the Internet
The “Free” distribution of intellectual property, information and expertise found in these common internet activities: (1) Open Source Software, (2) Social Networking & Forum Information Exchanges (3) Blogging, (4) Micro Blogging, (5) Podcasting and (6) Free music are all forms of “Generalized Reciprocity.”
Historically this would have been impossible, being both cost prohibitive (production and delivery) and ideologically unfathomable. However, the practice of casting your digital goods and intellectual property and your expert knowledge into the wind is commonplace and increasing. Consequently, on some level Generalized Reciprocity is a foundation of the new information/internet economy and also a motivator behind many virtual communities.
The blog will focus on studying and some of these ideas and concepts in their broad context.